Container



E. KVASSAY EIAL 2,979,191

CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS EMANUEL KVASSAY JAMES B. ANDREWS April 11 1961 Filed May 28, 1957 April 11, 1961 E. KVASSAY E.l"AL

CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1957 llb INVENTORS EMANUEL KVASSAY JAMES B. ANDREWS Kf/ W Aflprney United States Patent CONTAINER Emanuel Kvassay, Los Angeles, and James B. Andrews, Pasadena, 'Calif., assignors, by mesne assignments, to William Douglas Sellers, Pasadena, Calif.

Filed May 28, 1957, Ser. No. 662,118

6 Claims. (Cl. 206-45.33)

This invention relates to a container and more particularly to a tray type of container which can be wrapped in cellophane, or other'protective material, after the container is filled.

The container of the present invention is particularly suitable for use as apackaging container or tray for cakes. At the present time, cakes are usually packaged in boxes of standard construction which must be assembled before delivery to the packaging area. In the assembled condition, these boxes are bulky and difficult to handle and further, they obscure the'contents since all sides of the cake are covered. By the present invention, a container is provided which is delivered to the packaging area in flat form and which can be easily assembled at the packaging location. In one form of the invention, the container is formed of a single, substantially rectangular blank of material which is perforated and cut to provide a bottom, two opposite full sides and opposite two sides which are open at the central portion. Thus, the contents of the container is visible through the open sides and through the top of the container.

The full sides are hinged directly to the bottom while the two sections of the blank defining each partially open side are hinged directly to the ends of the full sides. A snap-up hinge construction comprises a portion extending between the ends of the two sections of each partially open side and connected to the edge of the bottom. A pair of hinge lines are placed diagonally in each of said extending portions to permit said portion to fold inwardly upon the bottom panel and at the same time, cause the full sides and the side sections to move upright. This is accomplished by folding sections of said portion between the diagonal hinge lines and the end of each side section over upon the upper surface of saidportion. Thereafter, a cake can be inserted within the sides through the open top and the bottom of the cake will rest uponthe extending portions and said folded areas in order to help hold the sides upright. When the cake and container are completely wrapped in cellophane, the sides will be held upright and will exert a force upon the cellophane to keep it stretched because of the spring force of the hinge lines tending to move the sides outwardly. a

A half cake package can also be provided by utilizing only one-half of the container blank so that one side is completely open and the opposite side ispartiallyopen at the central portion. Also, said extending portions can be "provided with tabs whichcan be glued or otherwise attached to the bottom panel after extending portions and the side sections of the partially open sides have been folded over upon the bottom and full sides, respectively. In place of the tabs, an adhesive tape can be utilized to hold the extending portion and side sections in folded position. The containers can then be shipped flat in partially assembled condition and can be quickly assembled by simply moving the full sides to upright position. If the container is of such ,a size that. the ex: tending portions meet when folded over, atab at one exin partially assembled condition and having a single tab 2,979,191 Patented Apr. 11 1961 tion to maintain the flat folded condition.

The container of the present invention can be con-,

structed of any suitable material such as single or double face corrugated board, flat board, etc., and are sulficiently strong to permit stacking of the container after packaging. The blanks from whichthe container are formed are substantially rectangular in shape to keep material waste to a minimum and the blankcan be perforated and. cut in one operation.

It 'is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container which can be quickly assembled from a flat blank and which is held in assembled condition with the aid of the contents of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container which can be quickly assembled and which provides excellent visibility of the contents through openings in the container.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a container having corner hinge construction upon which rests the contents of the container to hold the container in assembled condition.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a container which is formed from a flat blank and which is held in assembled condition by the contents of the container and by a wrapper, the container having inherent spring force to maintain the wrapper in stretched condition. Another object of the invention is to provide a container which is formed from a flat blank and which can 'be partially assembled and shipped in flat form ready for final assembly.

These and other objects of the invention not specifically set forth will become readily apparent from the accent: panying description and drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a flat blank of single face corrugated board which has been cut and perforated for assembly into the container of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the container assembled from the blank of Figure 1; r Figure 3 is a top plan view similar to Figure 2 of a half container formed from one-half of the blank of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a modified blank in partially assembled condition and having tabs glued to the bottom panel; i Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container formed from the blank of Figure 4 and illustrating the contents and wrapping; Figure 6 is a top plan view of another modified blank secured to a folded extending portion of the blank:

Figure 7. is a partial vertical section along line of Figure 6 showing the construction of the bottom panel;v

Figure 8 is a partial top plan view of another modified blank held in partially assembled condition by an adhesive partially open side 13 of the assembled container and contains side sections 14 and 15 for forming the opposite 15 by hinge lines 21 and 22, respectively. Each of these hinge lines have perforated end portions'and a center cut portion. A bottom panel 23 isconnected with full sides 17 and 20 by perforated hingelines 2 4 and 25 respectively.

An extending portion 26, serving as hinge means, is connected with side sections 11 and 12 by perforated hinge lines 27 and 28 respectively, and is connected with bottom panel 23 by hinge line 29. The hinge line 29 has perforated ends 30 and 31 and a center out line 32 which is ofiset from the perforated ends. Also, the extending portion 26 contains two diagonal hinge lines 33 and 34 which have perforated ends terminating at notches 35 and 36, respectively, at the edge of po1'tion26. Line 33 terminates at its other cut end at a corner of bottom panel 23 where lines 18, 24, 27, and 29 intersect, while line 34 terminates at its other cut end at a corner of bottom panel 23 where lines 21, 25, 28 and 31 intersect. The diagonal lines divide extending portion 26 into three sections, namely, end section 37 between lines 27 and 33, center section 38 between lines 29, 33 and 34, and end section 39 between lines 28 and 34. In a similar manner, extending portion 40 is connected with side sections 14 and 15 by perforated hinge lines 41 and 42, respectively, and is connected with bottom panel 23 by a hinge line 43 having perforated ends 44 and 45 and an offset center cut line 46. Two diagonal lines 47 and 48 have perforated ends connecting with notches 49 and 50, respectively and have cut lines terminating at opposite corners of bottom panel 23. The diagonal lines 47 and 48 divide extending portion 40 into three sections, namely, end section 51 between lines 41 and 47; center section 52 between lines 43, 47 and 48; and end section 53 between lines 42 and 48.

The assembled container formed from blank is illustrated in Figure 2. In assembling the container, the full side 20 and side sections 12 and are moved up wardly about hinge lines 25, 28 and 42, respectively, and

the full side 17 and side sections 11 and 14 are moved upwardly about hinge lines 24, 27, and 41, respectively. With the blank now in channel shape, the center section 38 of extending portion 26 is moved inwardly about hinge line 29 until it engages bottom panel 23. This movement causes end sections 37 and 39 to fold over about hinge lines 33 and 34, respectively, upon the upper surface of center section 38. During this folding operation, end section 37 moves inward and moves about hinge line 27 to pull side section 11 about hinge line 18 into position at right angles to full side 17. Also, end section 39 moves inward and'moves about hinge line 28 to pull side section 12 about hinge line 28 into position at right angles to full side 20. In a similar manner, center section 52 of extending portion 40 is moved inwardly about hinge line 43 to overlap bottom panel 23 and this movement causes end sections 51 and 53 to fold upon center section 52 and pull side sections 14 and 15 into position at right angles to full sides 17 and 20 respectively. Because of the offset of cut lines 32 and 46 and because of the notches 35, 36, 49 and 50, the center sections of the extending portions can be freely moved to overlap the bottom panel without interference from adjacent portions of the blank.

Referring to Figure 2, this assembled container has a bottom. panel 23, full upright sides 17 and 20, and partially open upright sides 13 and 16. The side 13 is open between side sections 11 and 12 and the side 16 is open between side sections 14 and 15 to permit visual examination of the contents of container, and the contents can also be viewed through the open top. The contents will rest upon the bottom panel, upon the end sections 37, 39, 51 and 53 and upon center sections 38 and '52. The weight of the contents upon the end section serves to hold these sections in folded position and thus, to hold the full sides 17 and 20 and the side section in upright position. The sides and side sections have a tendency to move outwardly and away from upright position because of the spring force at their hinge lines which is developed as a result of folding. If the weight of the contents testing practically no outward movement of the sides and side sections can result. However, lighter contents cannot completely overcome the initial spring force and slight outwardly movement of the sides and side sections can result. If the complete container and lighter contents are wrapped in cellophane while the sides and side sections are upright, these members will try to move outwardly and will exert a tightening force on the wrapping to keep it taut and pleasing in appearance. The container is ideally suited to the packaging of cakes, as illustrated in connection with the modification of Figure 5, and cakes are light enough to permit the return spring force on the sides and side sections to be exerted on the wraping.

p The assembly of the container can be accomplished either by hand or with the aid of jigs and the containers can be constructed in various sizes and shapes. As illustrated in Figure 2, the corrugated face lines the interior of the container except for the surface of center sections 38 and 52. However, a corrugated face could equally well be on the outer surface or on both surfaces, or non-corrugated material could be used. Because of the partially open sides and open top, the contents of the container are readily accessible and the strength of the sides and side sections permit stacking of packaged containers. The manner in which the container can be quickly assembled permits it to be shipped in flat, blank form to the packaging area rather than equiring assembly at a distant location and shipment in bulky, assembled condition to the packaging area. Since the blank is substantially rectangular, it can be fabricated from minimum material and can be cut and perforated in a single operation. It is understood that the hinge lines can be formed by scoring, perforation and/or cutting to provide for folding of adjacent portions of the blank.

A modified container 54 of half size is illustrated in Figure 3 and is fabricated from the upper half of blank 10, even though either half can be utilized for this purpose. The half container has full sides 17a and 20a, bottom panel 23a, one partially open side 13a, a completely open side 55, and a completely open top. Such container is suitable for packaging an article such as half a cake, and the weight of the packaged article will rest upon the two end sections 37a and 39a to aid in maintaining the assembled condition. The packed container can be wrapped in cellophane in the same manner as the container of Figure 2, and the contents can be viewed through a partially open side, a completely open side and a completely open top. In all of the modifications discussed herein, similar parts are designated by the same reference numeral together with a separate letter for each modification. A single corner container is also provided by the invention by the elimination of one side panel and its associated side section from Figure 3. In such case, only one end section 39a need be provided.

A second modification is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 wherein the blank 10b is partially assembled before shipment. The center sections 38b and 52b have tabs 56 and 57 respectively, which extend beyond the side sections when the blank is flat. While flat, the blank is passed under a pair of spaced, outside glue rollers to apply glue to the tabs only. Thereafter, the blank can be passed through a folding mechanism to fold over extending portion 26b and side section 11b and 12b at one side, and fold over extending portion 40b and side sections 14b and 15b at the other side of the blank. The blank is then pressed tosecure the tabs 56 and 57 to bottom panel 23b by the glue applied by the rollers so that the blank is in the fiat, partially assembled condition shown inFigure 4. Since the blank is still flat, it can be conveniently shipped directly to the packaging area. At the packaging area, the container can be comon the folded extending portions 26 and 40 is great, pletely assembled into the shape of Figure 5 by passing ard carton.

the partially assembled blank of Figure 4 through a conventional folding mechanism to fold the full sides 17b and 20b upright in the same manner as flaps on a stand- Fhe upright movement of the full sides causes end sections 3712 and 39b to fold over upon center section 38b of portion 26b and at the same time move side section 11b and 12b outwardly to a position at right angle to the full sides. In a like manner, end sections 51b and 5311 fold over upon center section 52b of portion 40b and move side sections 14b and 15b outwardly to a position at right angles to the full sides.

Figure 5 illustrates the manner in which a cake 58 is packaged in the assembled container and the container wrapped in cellophane 59. While the tabs 56 and 57 are secured to bottom panel 23b, the weight of the cake will act against the spring force developed at the folded hinge lines for each end section of portion 26b and 40b and for each side section. The excess of spring force tending to move the sides and side section will act against the wrapper 59 to keep it taut. In Figure 5, the major portion of the single corrugated face is on the exterior of the container but flat board or double faced corrugated material could be used. The partial and complete assembly of this container by machine consumes a minimum of time and still permits shipment in flat, economical shape.

Another modification of the invention is illustrated in Figure 6 wherein the bottom panel 23c is rectangular in shape so that extending portions 260 and 400 meet each other when the container is partially assembled in a manner similar to Figure 4. A tab 60 is attached to extending portion 26c and glue is applied to the tab by one outside roller while the container blank is completely flat. Thereafter, the portions 260 and 400 and side sections 110, 12c, 14c and 150 are folded over and the blank is pressed to adhere tab 60 to the upper surface of portion 40c. Thus, the container blank is secured in a partially assembled, flat condition in which it can be easily shipped. At the packaging point, the container can be completely assembled in the same manner as the container of Figure 5 by folding the full sides 17c and 200 upwardly by suitable mechanism. vIn Figure 6, the full. side 200 is shown in upright position with side sections 12c and 150 extending at right angles thereto and with the end sections of 3% and 530 folded over upon center sections 38c and 400 respectively. The full side 170 is shown in its extended position before being moved upwardly. Figure 7 illustrates the single bottom panel adjacent full side 20c in the fully assembled condition. Thus, the container of Figure 6 is shipped and assembled in the same manner as the container of Figure 5 and differs only in shape and manner of securing the extending portions.

Another manner of securing the extending portions is shown in the partial section of Figure 8 wherein the extending portions 26d and 40d are held in folded position by an adhesive strip 61 secured to bottom panel 23d and to both extending portions. Thus, the blank of Figure 8 can also be partially assembled for shipment and completely assembled in the same manner as the container of Figures 4 and 5. It is understood that the extending portions of the blank can be secured in other manners, such as stapling, to the bottom panel. Also, in the hand assembly of the blank of Figure l, the extending portions 26 and 40 can be first folded over and held by a jig so that full sides 17 and 20 can be moved upwardly to complete the container assembly.

The half carton of Figure 3 could have the extending portion 13a secured to the bottom for shipment and assembly in the same manner as the container of Figures 4 and 5.- =It is understood that the containers of the present invention can be utilized to package a wide variety of objects and materials, in addition to cakes. Various other modifications are contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

, What is claimed is:

l. A display and protective tray for foodstuffs and other merchandise having upstanding side walls so folded and arranged as to be supported in an upright position without fasteners and by the weight of the contents of the tray when present therein, said tray being formed from a one-piece blank of stifli sheet material having parallel rim edges at right angles to one another, a'score line spaced inwardly from and parallel to each of said edges for the full length thereof to form narrow panels bordering a center panel, pairs of converging diagonal crease lines traversing the panels along one pair of opposed sides of said blank and emanating from the points of intersection of said first mentioned crease lines, the portions of said last-mentioned panels between said diagonal creases being folded inwardly to lie flush against said center panel following which the other pair of opposed side panels are folded into an upright position with the opposite ends thereof folded to form upright right-angled corners of said tray, and the tray contents upon being inserted into said tray and against said first-mentioned inwardly folded panel portions being effective to hold these portions folded flush against the surface of the center panel of said tray and the major portion of the remainder of said pairs of panels in an upright position along edges of said center panel.

2. A display and protective tray for foodstuffs and similar merchandise which tray is open across the top and centrally along one pair of opposed side walls and wherein the side walls are so folded and arranged that the weight of the tray contents is effective to hold the walls assembled in an upright position without need for holding and fastening expedients, said tray comprising a unitary blank of relatively stiff sheet material creased from edge to edge by two pairs of parallel lines one pair of which intersect the other pair at right angles and cooperating therewith to provide a center panel forming the bottom of said tray and a first and second pair of opposed side wall panels bordering said center panel, said first pair of side wall panels being traversed by diagonal creases converging outwardly toward one another exteriorly of the corners of said center panel, said diagonal creases permitting the center portions of said first pair of panels to be folded inwardly to lie against said center panel as the center portions of said second pair of panels are folded to an upright position and as their opposite ends are folded inwardly toward one another to form upright right-angled corners of said tray, the contents of the tray then being elfective as inserted into the tray and against the inturned center portions of said first pair of panels to hold the remaining. portions of said panels in an upright position to provide a display tray open across its top and downwardly along the center portions of two opposed side wall panels thereof.

3. A display and protective tray for foodstuffs and similar merchandise which tray is open across the top and centrally along one pair of opposed sidewalls and wherein the side walls are so folded and arranged that the weight of the tray contents is effective to hold the walls assembled in an upright position without need for holding and fastening expedients, said tray comprising a unitary blank of relatively stiff sheet material creased from edge to edge by two pairs of parallel lines one pair of which intersect the other pair at right angles and cooperating therewith to provide a center panel forming the bottom of said tray and a first pair of narrow opposed side wall panels and a second pair of relatively wide opposed side wall panels, diagonal crease lines traversing said narrow'pair of panels and converging outwardly toward one another from the corners of said center panel, the center portions of said narrow panels being foldable inwardly into contact with said center panel as their op posite ends flare outwardly along said diagonal crease lines and the center portions of said wide panels fold into upright positions with their opposite ends forming upright square corners for said tray, the resulting tray assembly being adapted to be held so assembled by the weight of its contents resting against the center portions of said inwardly folded narrow panels leaving said contents exposed to display across the top and along the center portions of one pair of opposed side panels thereof.

4. A display tray as defined in claim 3 characterized in that portions of each of said crease lines include slits through said blank thereby to facilitate the rapid assembly of said tray from the flat condition of the blank therefor.

5. A display tray as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said blank is formed from a sheet of corrugated paper laminated on one side to a sheet of smooth sheet stock.

8 6. A display tray as defined in claim 3 characterized in the provision of an exterior jacket for said assembled tray which jacket is formed of transparent sheet material forming a protective dust cover for the tray contents and through which said contents are visible.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

